X-ray film cassette holder

ABSTRACT

An X-ray film cassette holder for releasable mounting on a portable wheeled patient carrier or for mounting on a wall consisting essentially of a frame, a pair of elongated members mounted on the frame, a first slide member for engaging the top of the cassette and a second slide member for engaging the bottom of the cassette, and a locking means carried by the second slide member consisting of pivoting arms which lockingly engage the elongated members in one position and are moveable to another position permitting sliding of the slide members upon the elongated members.

United States Patent Allard et a1.

[451 Sept. 26, 1972 X-RAY FILM CASSETTE HOLDER [72] lnventors: CharlesD. Allard, San Leandro; Eu-

gene R. Allard, Alameda, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Sana Products, Inc., San Leandro,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Nov. 4, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 195,741

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.863,649, Oct.

3, 1969, Pat. No. 3,626,186.

[52] US. Cl. ..250/50, 211/89, 248/476, 250/58, 250/59 [51] Int. Cl...G01n 21/00 [58] Field ofSearch.....40/l52.l; 211/89; 248/316 R,248/476; 250/50, 57, 58365 R, 59

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,921,202 l/l960 Berger eta1. ..250/58 X 3,051,832 8/1962 Pigg, Sr. ..250/50 3,231,230 l/l966Mueller ..248/476 X 3,370,822 2/1968 Miller ..248/476 3,633,028 1/1972Marino ..250/50 Primary Examiner-William F Lindquist Attorney-James R.Cypher [5 7] ABSTRACT An X-ray film cassette holder for releasablemounting on a portable wheeled patient carrier or for mounting on a wallconsisting essentially of a frame, a pair of elongated members mountedon the frame, a first slide member for engaging the top of the cassetteand a second slide member for engaging the bottom of the cassette, and alocking means carried by the second slide member consisting of pivotingarms which lockingly engage the elongated members in one position andare moveable to another position permitting sliding of the slide membersupon the elongated members.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIED W 3.694.653

SHEET 1 BF 4 INVENTORSZ CHARLES D. ALLARD T EUGENE R. ALLZ\)RD 0 BY: j'7 l I L W HIS ATTORNEY PATENTEflsirzs 1912 FIG. 2

INVENTORSZ CHARLES D. ALLARD EUG BY:

E R. ALLARD HIS ATTORN EY PATENTEDSEPZEBR 3.694.653 I SHEET 3 F 4INVENTORSZ FIG. 3 CHARLES D. ALLARD EUGENE R. A ARD BY: Q [a HISATTORNEY X-RAY FILM CASSETTE HOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This isa continuation-in-part of application Ser. No 863,649 filed Oct. 3,1969, now US. Pat. No. 3,626,186. A requirement for restriction was madein the said application. This application makes no claim to the MobileX-Ray Chair which is claimed in the earlier filed application.

Present X-ray film cassette holders are either an integral part of anX-ray table or a part of a fixed wall mounted installation. The presentwall mounted cassettes require two hands to operate the locking slidemechanism. In Applicants patent application referred to above, a newtype X-ray chair was developed. Existing cassette holders were notsuitable or adaptable to this chair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The gist of the present invention is a uniquelydesigned film cassette holder that can be used with the chain abovereferred to and with a slight modification can be attached to a wall fortaking pictures with the patient standing or seated against the wall.Both of the cassettes can be operated with one hand thus permitting thefilms to be inserted and removed more easily from the holder andallowing easier adjustment of the position of the film in relation tothe holder.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cassette holderwhich, with little modification can be used on a mobile chair orattached to a wall.

A further object is to provide a cassette holder which can beconstructed from a few sturdy parts which require a minimum ofmaintenance.

Another object is to provide an inexpensive piece of equipment whichwill permit x-rays to be taken more quickly by providing quicker andeasier unloading of the cassettes.

Still another object is to provide a holder which will handle all typesof grids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a cassette holder constructed inaccordance with the present invention removeably mounted on a mobilex-ray chair.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the unit shown in FIG. 1 takensubstantially along the line 22.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the unit shown in FIG. 1 takensubstantially along the line 33.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a modified form of the invention for mountingon a wall.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 4 takensubstantially along the line 5-5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The mobile x-ray chair of thepresent invention consists briefly of a light weight frame having wheelsmounted on the frame permitting guided movement of the unit; a seat 6mounted on the frame for receiving a patient in a seated position; aback 7 mounted on the frame for supporting the back of the patient;first means mounted on the back for receiving a film cassette 8; asecond means mounted on the frame adjacent the side of the seat forreceiving a film cassette; and a third cassette holding means mounted onthe frame adjacent the side of the seat opposite the second means.

The frame consists of side metal members 11 and 12, end members 13 and14, and U-shaped upright members l5 and 16 connected thereto. Verticalmembers such as 17 and horizontal members give the necessary stability.Two mounting brackets 18 and 19 mounted to the bottom front of the framecarry fixed rubber wheels 21 and 22 and castors 23 and 24 mounted on therear of the frame carry rubber wheels 26 and 27. The fixed and casterwheels may be mounted in reverse order as functional requirementsrequire.

The seat is preferably padded for comfort and is mounted on crossmembers 28 and 29 affixed to the frame. Preferably the seat is elevatedslightly above the frame members so that a film cassette can be slippedbeneath the seat for taking x-rays of the pelvic region. The cassettesmay be held conveniently by parallel channel members 31 and 32. The seatmay be removably connected to the frame so that the patient may belifted from the mobile unit in the seat. It is also possible toconstruct the seat with a hard smooth surface for taking hip x-rays.

The back member is preferably made with a hard smooth surface such as aplastic coated fiber board 33 with decorative surface, laminated to apressed fiber board material 34. The back board is affixed to a tubularframe having side members 36 and 37 which are connected to the frame. Ithas been found that the optimum positioning of the back board for takingx-rays requires'a tilt of 10 from the vertical. In transporting thepatients, a tilt of 20 has been found to be more comfortable for manypatients. To accommodate the two optimum positions, the back may bepivotally connected by connectors 38 and 39 to the frame.

The first means mounted on the chair back for holding a film cassetteconsists of vertical members 41 and 42 and cross members 43 and 44connected to the frame members of the back. A pair of elongated members46 and 47 mounted on the cassette-frame in parallel spaced relationshipserve as a slide. A slide member having a cross member 48 and sidemembers 49 and 51 is mounted for sliding engagement on the elongatedmembers and a channel member 52 connected to the cross member engagesthe upper edge 53 of a film cassette.

In order that the film cassette may be readily placed at differentelevations, a second slide member is mounted laterally of the elongatedmembers for selective sliding engagement thereon. This mechanismconsists of a transverse member 56 bearing a channel member 57 forreceiving the bottom edge of the film cassette. Side members 56 and 59slidably engage the upright slide members. In order to lock themechanism at an infinite number of positions along the slide members,there is a first arm 61 pivotally connected to the second slide memberat pivot point 62 which is offset from the cross member by a shortmember 63 so that the arm is angularly related to the elongated memberin a lock position and perpendicular to the elongated member in theslide position. In the end of each arm is an opening slightly largerthan the cross section of the elongated member for frictional engagementtherewith in the locking position. While a single arm would effectivelylock the bottom slide member, it is preferable to use two arms for moresecure holding and to keep the bottom edge more nearly parallel. Thus asecond arm 64 is pivotally connected at point 66 and spaced from thecross arm by a short member 67 and has an opening in its end throughwhich passes the elongated member. So that the arms can be movedsimultaneously, a means is provided for hingedly connecting the inboardends of the first and second arms. A practical means is to weld a shortmember 68 to one end of an arm and slide the other end into an openingin the inboard end of the other arm. To prevent the danger of pinching,a flexible tube can be placed so as to surround the short memberparticularly at the slip joint.

To insure that the lock mechanism will stay in the locked position,springs 71 and 72 are provided to bias the first and second arms to thelock position.

In orderto take lateral x-rays of a patient without requiring him tomove, a second means is mounted on the frame adjacent the side of theseat for receiving a film cassette. This means consists of a channelmember 73 connected to the side of the frame in which the channel iswide enough to accommodatecassettes of varying widths such as thestandard cassette and the special grid cassette. Connected to thechannel are two pairs of upright members 74,75,76, and 77 which divergeat their upper ends to guide the cassette frame into the channel. Inorder to hold the upper end of the cassette frame, a protruding boss 79is provided on the upper end of the back to register with an opening ina tab affixed to the cassette frame. The cassette frame in all otherrespects is the same as the cassette frame for the back. The cassetteframe is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 and the parts are labeled asfollows: vertical members 41' and 42', cross members 43 and 44'connected to the frame members, elongated members 46' and 47' mounted inparallel relation, a slide member having a cross member 48' and sidemembers 49' and 51', a channel member 52' connected to the cross memberto engage the upper edge of afilm cassette, a second slide memberconsisting of a transverse member 56 having a channel member 57,184 sidemembers 58' and 59'. a first arm 61' pivoted at point 62' on member 63',a second arm 64' connected at point 66' on member 67. As set forthabove, the arms are formed with openings which frictionally engage theparallel members when the arms are moved to an angle. The arms areconnected by a short member 68' surrounded by a flexible tube 69. Spring71' and 72' bias the arms to the lock position.

Lateral x-rays can be taken from either side with the unit shown in thedrawings. For this purpose, a channel 86 is connected to the frame andupright members 87,88,89, and 90 are provided with their upper endsdiverging to receive the cassette frame. A third cassette is not shownas it would be identical in every respect to the second cassette abovedescribed.

A foot rest 92 is slidably mounted on channel members 93 and 94suspended from the lower part of the frame by members 96 and 97. Arrow98 shows the direction the foot rest is extended and the solid linesshow the foot rest position in the normal position so that the chair canbe stored in a compact form.

In the event an x-ray is to be taken of the leg of a patient whileseated in the chair, a leg rest consisting of a U-shaped tubular memberhaving a cross portion 101 and two elongated members 102 and 103,carried by channel members 105 and 106 carried by the frame beneath theseat can be slid out as in the position shown in FIG. 1. The leg restcan be stored by pushing it beneath the seat in the direction shown byarrow 107.

Padding 108 may be added for comfort. If necessary,

the film cassette may be placed directly on'the elongated membersbeneath the legs of the patient.

The unit is readily pushed or pulled by manually engageable hand grips111 and 112 frictionally attached to arms 113 and 114 connected to theback.

One of the very important features of the present invention is the factthat the frame is so constructed that a shelf 116 can be attached to thebottom to carry life support equipment such as oxygen bottles, ernesisbasin, vacuum bottles and other types of equipment which may be neededto sustain a patient while being transported to the x-ray room. There issufiicient room, in fact beneath the seat and the bottom shelf to buildin shelves in which many small items may be stored for the patient incase of emergency orjust for comfort. Facial tissue boxes, scissors, andmany other implements can be readily stored.

Vertically adjustable arm rests are provided on both side of the seatand here consist of arm rests 117 and 118 carried by vertical supportmembers 119, 120, 121, and 122. Adjustment is obtained by sliding thevertical supports withing box members 124, 125, 126 and 127. Threadedbolts on hand engageable knobs 128, 129, 130 and 131 fit into thethreaded openings in the box members and bear against the verticalsupports in friction engagement.

The unit shown in the drawings has a back which can be adjusted tovarious degrees for the comfort of the patient and can even be moved tothe horizontal position for taking all the x-ray pictures one wouldnor-- mally take on a table. The adjusting means consists of a forkedmember 136 mounted at pivots 137 and 138 on the frame and movable from afist rest position as shown in solid lines in FIG. 1 to a releasedposition. Connected to the forked member is a lever arm 139 which may beoperated by the foot by pivoting it at point 141, attaching a foottreadle 142 and inserting a spring 143 between the treadle and theframe. First fork anns 144 and 145 mounted on either end of the forkedmember move against stops or a part of the frame. The second arms 147and 148 of the forked member engage a cross arm 149 connected to thedistal ends of the struts 151 and 152. The struts are pivotallyconnected to the frame at points 153 and 154. A plurality of stopmembers 156 are located at various elevations on the frame to receivethe cross arm. When the back is in the position shown in FIG. 1 shown indotted lines, the back is preferably at a 10 degree angle. When the foottreadle is depressed, a link 157 connected to strap 158 at pivot 159rotates the forked member in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 1.The cross arm isthen moved forwardly and upwardlyinitially and then backand downwardly tonne of the lower stop members. When the cross arm isresting on the stop designated 161 a movable stop member 162 holds theupper side of the cross arm so that the back cannot move forwardly ifthe mobile unit is suddenly stopped. Curved guidesl63 and 164 preventthe cross arm from moving too'far away from the frame. 1

One of the life support features of the present invention is theprovision for adding fluids to the body during transport or the takingof x-rays. Accordingly, an I V pole 166 with a hook 167 is slidably heldin channel 168 connected to the chair back and adjusted by threaded knob169 received in a threaded opening in the channel to frictionally bearagainst the IV pole.

Another very useful attachment is a hook 171 attached to the frame whichholds the catheter tube. The reservoir may be placed on the bottom shelfof the unit.

In transporting older people or patients subject to fainting, a safetystrap is provided to support them. A belt with eyelets is often used andhooks into catches .172 and 173 at either side of the chair back.

In constructing the unit, the handles and the struts supporting thechair back may be either two pieces as shown or made from one piece ofmetal, shaped in the manner shown. Constructing the members in one piecegreatly facilitates assembly.

In order to secure the film cassette to either side, a boss 176 isprovided at the upper end of the chair as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Theboss registers with openings in respective tabs 177 and 178.

The following is a partial list of x-rays which may be taken while thepatient is seated in the chair. As stated above, almost any type may betaken but the following have been found to be very easily performed.

drip method of administering contrast media In use, the patient isplaced in the chair with his feet either held by the foot rest, or hislegs supported by the foot rest. In the transporting position, the backis generally held at about a 20 position or if the patient cannot situp, the back may be lowered to the horizontal or near horizontal. Whenthe patient arrives at the xray department, the technician places thechair back in the degree tilt position by depressing the foot treadleand pushing forward on the handles until he cross member approximatesthe desired position. The treadle is then released and the springreturns the forked member to the normal position. The back is thenpermitted to move slightly rearwardly until it is in the catch position.

The unit is then wheeled to a premarked position on the floor and thefilm cassettes are placed in the frames. The slidable portions of theframes are then moved to the proper height and the x-ray pictures maythen be taken. The chair arm is of course removed before taking thepicture.

When not in use, the foot and leg supports are slid inside the frame,the back is tilted up and the unit occupies a minimum of space. Theunits are inexpensive so that one or two may be stored on each floor ofa hospital ready for instant use.

A modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In general,the cassette holder shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is identical to the holdersshown in FIGS. 1 3, except for the fact that the frame is adapted formounting on a wall. In addition, the cassette holder shown in FIGS. 4and 5 is provided with means for holding a grid. Where parts in FIGS. 4and 5 are identical, the part description is repeated from the earlierportions of the specification and the part is given the same number witha double prime mark to indicate the modified form.

The cassette holder of FIGS. 4 and 5 consists briefly of vertical framemembers 201 and 202 and cross members 43" and 44" connected to theframemembers. Frame member 201, at its upper end 203 curves rearwardlyand then transversely terminating in an end 204 with an opening 206 forreceiving a headed screw 207 or other attachment means for connectingthe holder to the wall or other upright means. The lower end of framemember 201 is bent rearwardly at portion 208, and then transversely atportion 209 where it terminates; providing an opening 211 for receivingscrew 212.

Frame member 202 is also curved rearwardly at portion 213 andtransversely at 214 providing opening 216 for a screw 217. The lower endof member 202 is curved rearwardly at portion '218 and then transverselyat 219 providing an opening 221 for receiving screw 222.

A pair of elongated members 46" and 47" mounted on the cassette frame inparallel spaced relationship serve as a slide. A slide member having across member 48" and side members 49" and 51" is mounted for slidingengagement on the elongated members and a channel member 52" connectedto the cross member engages the upper edge of a film cassette; (notshown).

In order that the film cassette may be readily placed at differentelevations, a second slide member is mounted laterally of the elongatedmembers for selective sliding engagement thereon. This mechanismconsists of a transverse member 56" bearing a channel member 57" forreceiving the bottom edge of the film cassette. Side members 58" and 59"slidably engage the upright slide members. In order to lock themechanism at an infinite number of positions along the slide members,there is a first arm 61" pivotally connected to the second slide memberat pivot point 62" which is offset from the cross member by a shortmember 63" so that the arm is angularly related to the elongated memberin a lock position and perpendicular to the elongated member in theslide position. In the end of each arm is an opening slightly largerthan the cross section of the elongated member for frictional engagementtherewith in the locking position. While a single arm would effectivelylock the bottom slide member; it is preferable to use two arms for moresecure holding and to keep the bottom edge more first and second arms.To prevent the danger of pinching, and to insure joint cooperation ofthe arms, a flexible tube is placed over the ends of each arm and isdesignated by the number 69".

To insure that the lock mechanism will stay in the locking position,springs 71" and 72" are provided to bias the first and second arms tothe lock position.

To prevent wear of the device, bumpers 226 and 227 are provided at thetops of the slides and bumpers 228 and 229, at the bottom of the slides.

As an additional feature, a channel member 231 may beattached to thesecond slide member and a channel member 232 may be attached to thefirst slide member in order to hold a grid plate. This grid plate can beused for measuring and reference in interpreting the x-ray film. Sincesome film is already printed with a grid, the use of the grid isoptional.

As an aid in sliding the upper slide, a handle 236 is connected tochannel 52". Likewise, a handle member 237 is connected to channel 57".

Operation of the wall and chair mounted cassette holders is identical.Please refer to FIGS. 4 and '5 in following the operational description.1

To mount the film cassette, thetop edge of the film cassette is insertedinto channel 52". The top slide mechanism slides without restriction andis pushed upwardly until the bottom edge of the film cassette isslightly above the channel 57" of the lower slide. The

bottom edge of the film cassette is then dropped into the channel 57".After determining the height required for the film, the operator placeshis thumb on handle 237 and the tips of the fingers on the resilientsleeve 69". The sleeve is moved upwardly, thereby rotating arm 61clockwise about pivot point 62", and arm 64" counterclockwise aboutpivot point 66". This action causes the side walls of opening 241 tofrictionally release from member 46". As stated above, the diameter ofopening 241 is slightly larger than the diameter of member 46". In likemanner, the side walls of opening 242 frictionally release from member47 The diameter of opening 242 is slightly larger than the diameter ofmember 46 When the desired elevation of the film is reached, the fingersrelease the resilient sleeve 69" and springs 71" and 72" automaticallypush the arms in a direction counter to the direction just described.The sides of the openings 241 and 242 re-grip the members 46" and 47"and the film is locked in position ready for the xray to be taken.

Release of the film from the cassette holder is just as simple asinserting the film. The operator merely pushes the film cassetteupwardly far enough for the bottom of the film to clear channel 57". Thefilm is taken out and the top slide drops until the end 243 meets end244.

We claim:

1. An x-ray film cassette holder for retaining a film cassette havingupper and lower edges comprising:

a. a rectangular frame having parallel sides connected to parallelbottom and top members;

b. a pair of elongated members mounted on said frame in parallel spacedrelationship inwardly of said rectangular frame sides;

c. a first slide member mounted between said elongated members forsliding engagement thereon and having means for engaging the upper edgeof a film cassette;

(1. a second slide member mounted between said elongated members forselective sliding engagement thereon and including;

1. means for engaging the bottom edge of said film cassette,

2. locking means comprising:

1. a first arm pivotally connected to said second slide. member andmovable from a lock position angularly related to said elongated membersand a slide position generally perpendicular to said elongated members,and having an opening in an end slightly larger than the cross sectionof one of said elongated members for frictional engagement therewith inthe locking position;

2. a second arm as described in subparagraph (1) above pivotallyconnected to said second slide member for selective engagement with theopposite elongated member; and

3. means hingedly connecting the inboard ends of said first and secondarms for joint movement of said arms.

2. An x-ray film cassette holder as described in claim 1 comprising:

a. spring means mounted on said second slide member and biasing saidfirst and second arm members to said lock position.

3. An x-ray film cassette holder as described in claim 2 comprising:

a. said means hingedly connecting the inboard ends of said first andsecond arms consisting of a resilient sleeve frictionally retained onthe ends of said arms and having sufiicient rigidity to impose conjointmovement of said arms upon manual movement of said sleeve.

4. An x-ray film cassette holder as described in claim 3 comprising:

a. hand engageable means consisting of a member connected to said secondslide member located above said sleeve member and within a hand widththereof so that said locking means can be disengaged and engaged andsaid first and second slide members raised and lowered with one hand.5'. An x-ray film cassette holder as described in claim 1 comprising:

a. a channel member member for engaging the top edge of a grid plate;and

b. a channel member connected to said second slide member for engagingthe bottom edge of said grid plate.

6. An x-ray film cassette holder as described in claim 1 comprising: 7

a. said rectangular frame being adapted for registration with a holderattached to a mobile x-ray chair for carrying said cassette holder.

7. An x-ray film cassette holder as described in claim 1 comprising:

connected to said first slide a. said frame being provided withlaterally extending members adapted for holding said frame at apreselected distance from a vertical wall; and

b. fastening means adapted for connecting said extension members to saidwall.

0 l t l

1. An x-ray film cassette holder for retaining a film cassette havingupper and lower edges comprising: a. a rectangular frame having parallelsides connected to parallel bottom and top members; b. a pair ofelongated members mounted on said frame in parallel spaced relationshipinwardly of said rectangular frame sides; c. a first slide membermounted between said elongated members for sliding engagement thereonand having means for engaging the upper edge of a film cassette; d. asecond slide member mounted between said elongated members for selectivesliding engagement thereon and including;
 1. means for engaging thebottom edge of said film cassette,
 2. locking means comprising:
 1. afirst arm pivotally connected to said second slide member and movablefrom a lock position angularly related to said elongated members and aslide position generally perpendicular to said elongated members, andhaving an opening in an end slightly larger than the cross section ofone of said elongated members for frictional engagement therewith in thelocking position;
 2. a second arm as described in subparagraph (1) abovepivotally connected to said second slide member for selective engagementwith the opposite elongated member; and
 3. means hingedly connecting theinboard ends of said first and second arms for joint movement of saidarms.
 2. locking means comprising:
 2. a second arm as described insubparagraph (1) above pivotally connected to said second slide memberfor selective engagement with the opposite elongated member; and
 2. Anx-ray film cassette holder as described in claim 1 comprising: a. springmeans mounted on said second slide member and biasing said first andsecond arm members to said lock position.
 3. An x-ray film cassetteholder as described in claim 2 comprising: a. said means hingedlyconnecting the inboard ends of said first and second arms consisting ofa resilient sleeve frictionally retained on the ends of said arms andhaving sufficient rigidity to impose conjoint movement of said arms uponmanual movement of said sleeve.
 3. means hingedly connecting the inboardends of said first and second arms for joint movement of said arms. 4.An x-ray film cassette holder as described in claim 3 comprising: a.hand engageable means consisting of a member connected to said secondslide member located above said sleeve member and within a hand widththereof so that said locking means can be disengaged and engaged andsaid first and second slide members raised and lowered with one hand. 5.An x-ray film cassette holder as described in claim 1 comprising: a. achannel member connected to said first slide member for engaging the topedge of a grid plate; and b. a channel member connected to said secondslide member for engaging the bottom edge of said grid plate.
 6. Anx-ray film cassette holder as described in claim 1 comprising: a. saidrectangular frame being adapted for registration with a holder attachedto a mobile x-ray chair for carrying said cassette holder.
 7. An x-rayfilm cassette holder as described in claim 1 comprising: a. said framebeing provided with laterally extending members adapted for holding saidframe at a preselected distance from a vertical wall; and b. fasteningmeans adapted for connecting said extension members to said wall.